< PreviousLocally Sourced%Locally Sourced Times are ever changing and so is the North Fayette VFD. The department, however, still operates as a 100 percent volunteer not-for-proﬁt organization and is currently seeking professional, courteous, dedicated and motivated individuals who have a desire to help their neighbors and community. The VFD prides itself on being able to continue to serve the growing community, just as it has done since 1974. The department remains the primary responding ﬁre/rescue agency for every resident and business located in North Fayette Township. Last year proved to be one of the department’s busiest years on record. Township volunteer ﬁreﬁghters responded to 442 ﬁre- and rescue-related emergency calls at an average rate of around 1.2 calls per day. These calls for service included various ﬁre alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, vehicle accidents, residential and commercial structure ﬁres, mutual aid responses, water conditions, and more. The department is seeking recruits for active interior and exterior ﬁreﬁghters, associate (non-ﬁreﬁghter) members, junior ﬁreﬁghters (16 to 18 years of age), and qualiﬁed drivers/pump operators. Experience is welcome but not required. The department pays 100 percent of all costs associated with acquiring state-certiﬁed training. It also provides uniforms and personal protective equipment at no cost to members. If riding on the trucks and responding to emergencies doesn’t sound appealing, don’t worry. The department has many other opportunities in the form of administrative and auxiliary support roles that can be fulﬁlled by associate members. Support members help with a variety of details and events including the department’s annual fund drive, ﬁre prevention/community outreach, North Fayette Community Days, community and business events, holiday details, IT support, and much more. The department is also seeking volunteers to perform building and property maintenance, as well as truck maintenance. Beneﬁts for qualiﬁed members include: fully paid state-certiﬁed training, paid local gym membership incentives, local earned income tax credits, Allegheny County Fire Vest scholarships, insurance incentive program, and tuition incentives from select universities for family members of ﬁre department personnel. The department is also asking for support through its annual fund drive, which will take place in the spring of 2019. Look for the department’s direct mailer or visit www.northfayettevfd.org. The department does not solicit by phone. Contact the department today to discuss becoming a volunteer and help the VFD serve the community. Visit them online at www.northfayettevfd.org.North Fayette VFD asking for help at various levelsARTICLES SUBMITTED Earlier this year, the West Allegheny Athletic Hall of Fame launched a new website at www.westahalloffame.org. The new website both creates an archive of past inductees and makes it easier for community members to nominate potential inductees. As well, the hall of fame will be using the site to post information about its various fundraising events, including its annual induction banquet that will once again be taking place this coming May. Money raised from the hall of fame’s various efforts helps raise the proﬁle of West Allegheny athletics by both honoring inductees and ﬁnancially beneﬁtting West Allegheny athletics. Those interested in nominating an athlete, coach, contributor or team can do so by completing the online nomination form at www.westahalloffame.org. WA Hall of Fame launches website10 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019February/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 11 Heroes Supporting Heroes announced the appointment of Kristi Hilbert as its chief executive ofﬁcer in January. A staunch supporter of military members, veterans and their families, Hilbert had been serving on Heroes Supporting Heroes’ executive board of directors. She was previously the director of the Heroes Support Network, a virtual community center that she was instrumental in developing. The network links over 500,000 veterans, active duty and reserve military service members in western Pennsylvania with business and civilian support programs and organizations. Hilbert brings with her an impressive resume of leadership positions in business and military support organizations. She has received many prestigious awards in recognition of her dedication to the military and veteran community in southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. Currently, Hilbert serves on the United States Air Force National Civic Leader Board, is co-chairman of the Military Affairs Committee for the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, is an assistant coordinator for the United States Marines Toys For Tots Foundation and a partner of the Fort Pitt Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. “We are fortunate to have someone of Kristi’s caliber and experience step up to lead Heroes Supporting Heroes,” said John Lee, the founder and current president of the organization. “We are at a critical moment of growth for the organization and we are excited that, with renewed leadership, we will take our mission to new heights, helping more currently serving military families, veterans and members of our community.” Lee also praised Hilbert’s vision as well as her proven track record of execution and communication skills as a civilian leader who has “earned crucial respect within the military community.” “As a member of our executive board for the last year, and involved as a volunteer and partner since our inception, she has an unparalleled understanding of our needs and vision,” Lee said. “We could not be happier to welcome Kristi as our new chief executive ofﬁcer.” Heroes Supporting Heroes is a 501(c)3 nonproﬁt that was originally formed to provide various forms of support to families of deployed military personnel. That support over the years has included home repairs, ﬁnancial assistance and more. The organization has even helped secure cars and car repairs for veterans and their families. Over time, Heroes Supporting Heroes has also expanded its mission to aid senior citizens. West Allegheny Work Camp, a faith-based initiative that brings volunteers into the area to help those in the area with home repairs, now operates under the nonproﬁt umbrella of Heroes Supporting Heroes with the mission of helping seniors and others in need in the area. “I could not be more honored and proud to be chosen for this position,” said Hilbert. “I have a deep connection with Heroes Supporting Heroes, its founders, board members and our mission of serving our military, veteran and ﬁrst responder communities. While not a veteran myself, I come from a family with a history of military service and I have a great respect for all of those who raise their hand in service to our great nation and their family members who sacriﬁce so much as a result of that commitment. I have dedicated a large part of my life to military support and I look forward to leading our organization to expand our reach within western PA and beyond.” For more about Heroes Supporting Heroes, visit www.heroessupportingheroes.org. Local military charity Heroes Supporting Heroes welcomes new CEOLocally Sourced%Locally SourcedKristi HilbertSTORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED West Allegheny eighth-grader Sarah Rankin performed in the All-American Halftime Show during the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1. She was one of hundreds of dancers from across the country selected to perform in the show, which aired nationally on ABC-TV. To prepare for the event, Sarah was required to memorize two routines from a video sent to her via email just after Thanksgiving. Participants then met just prior to the show to practice. This year’s show featured singer CeCe Teneal performing music by Aretha Frankllin, who passed away in August. Teneal performed two of Franklin’s hits for the show: “Respect” and “Think.” Both songs required dancers to perform a number of complex ripples and groupings. For many dancers, this marked their second, third or even eighth time performing in the event, which annually takes place in Orlando, Florida. This year’s Citrus Bowl took place at Camping World Stadium, where the Kentucky Wildcats upset the Penn State Nittany Lions 27-24. At West Allegheny, Sarah is a member of the middle school cheer squad and an alumni of the West Allegheny Youth Cheerleading program. She is also a competitive cheerleader for Rain Athletics in McKeesport. She was chosen to perform in the All-American Halftime Show after an audition held during West Allegheny’s cheer camp, which is run coach Joseph LaGrosse. A video of the halftime performance can be viewed on YouTube and a practice video can be viewed on Facebook by searching for All American Halftime Show. WA student performed in Citrus Bowl halftime showSarah RankinSTORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED12 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced A family with West Allegheny area roots who lost a loved one to brain cancer is actively working to raise money to help others faced with a similar situation. The DAO Memorial Foundation was founded in 2016 in memory of David Andrew Oravetz, who passed away in 2015. “Dave’s love for his family and his ongoing concern over their ability to maintain their ﬁnancial stability led to the development of the foundation in his honor,” says Suzanne Robbins, who is a founding board member of the organization and a cousin of Oravetz’. Robbins, an area native, says the foundation’s mission is to help others who are now dealing with the struggles that a terminal illness can bring. “Loss of income, struggles with maintaining a home, planning for the future, creating a support system and dealing with the emotional issues surrounding all the change are just a few of the possible challenges that ill people and their families face,” she says. Through a small army of volunteers in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, the foundation helps to alleviate some of the day-to-day struggles that these individuals and their families face. Volunteers help with light housekeeping, socialization, respite care and ﬁnancial planning. The organization can even assist with monthly bills, as needed. To raise funds, the DAO foundation is hosting a bingo fundraiser March 2 at the Findlay Township Activity Center in Imperial. The evening includes dinner. For more details, see the listing Bingo Fundraiser under Findlay Parks and Recreation programs on page 50 in this month’s On the Horizon section. The organization is also asking for donations of items to be awarded as prizes at the event, along with food and beverages. Anyone interested can contact Robbins at soravetz83@gmail.com or (412) 302-2150. Those who are coping with a terminal illness or who have a loved one with a terminal illness that would like assistance from the DAO Memorial Foundation can email dao124@gmail.com or call (412) 378-5444. Organization looking to help those with terminal illnesses STORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTEDDavid Andrew OravetzFebruary/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 13Locally Sourced%Locally Sourced TreeLine Church is now meeting each Sunday morning at Pittsburgh Technical College in Oakdale at 10 a.m. The new church launched last September and is focused on impacting future generations with a lineup of youth programming aimed at teens and children. The church was started by its pastor, Rev. Brian Henry, his wife, Kristi, and their three young daughters. Brian is a native of the area who graduated from West Allegheny High School in 1998. After moving away to attend college, he resided in several different regions of the country before settling in Indiana for 10 years. He moved back to his hometown to start TreeLine Church. In addition to his family, six other people from Indiana and two from New York have relocated to the area to help get the church up and running. They have spent the last year building a team, raising funds and securing the church’s location. “There are many people from all over the country and the region who have been supportive and played a part to get this brand new church off the ground,” says Brian. “It has been a lot of work but we are excited to ﬁnally be meeting on a regular basis.” He says they recognize that pioneering anything is hard work but that they believe the payoff is worth the investment being made. Often asked whether another church is really needed in the area, Brian says that he believes that as long as there are people who don’t have a church they belong to the answer is “Yes.” “There are great churches in our communities,” he says, “but even if they were at full capacity there still wouldn’t be room for everyone who has yet to connect with a local church.” He says the church has a huge heart for the community and will be looking to serve and connect with the people living here. The church gets its name from its mission of impacting family trees through a lifelong relationship with Jesus. At TreeLine’s Sunday services, visitors can expect hot beverages, live music, relevant teaching and a clean, safe, fun environment for children. Find out more about TreeLine on their website www.treeline.church and on Facebook or Instagram @treelinechurch. New church now meeting at PTCSTORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTEDFROM TOP: As part of its programming, TreeLine Church offers children’s programming and live music. The new church has also been conducting outreach efforts in the community. Brian and Kristi Henry are pictured with their children.14 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019STAND UP FOR A HIGHER STANDARDI WILL NOTFACE GRADUATIONWITH FEARWe provide the education and support that gets you in and out, and into a successful career you’ll love. Explore our new bachelor’s program in 15 online courses. If you have an associate degree from 2002 on, you’re in.Choose from more than 30 program optionsBusiness | Criminal Justice | Culinary Arts | DesignEnergy and Electronics Technology | Healthcare | HospitalityInformation Systems and Technology | Nursing | Trades TechnologyPTCollege.edu A NONPROFIT INSTITUTION*Showcases graduates from 2017 classes. Data includes those who were available for work and were offered and/or received career search assistance from 1/1/2017-4/30/2018. Includes full-time, part-time, or freelance positions. Visit PTCollege.edu/employmentstats to learn more. Pittsburgh Technical College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.97% of available PTC graduates are working in their career ﬁelds.*RSVP to join us at Open House 10:30 AM March 23, 2019.February/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 15y>Learning CurvesLearning CurvesNOWHIRING!Oces located inRobinson Twp. & Monaca412.494.2000 ExpressPros.comFull-time and part-time job opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional.Call to schedule your interview! No Fees! More than ever, so many of us are focused on making things work for a group of individuals - whether it’s family, our work team, volunteer organizations, our church or a combination. It requires a level of juggling, decision-making and prioritization that can be a real challenge. For most people I know, it has become a normal (and healthy) part of life to have regular check-ins with ourselves to improve our awareness and ensure that we are selecting the right things as priorities. My reﬂection on decision-making is a result of observing family and friends throughout the fourth quarter and challenging myself to prioritize better. Though I’m passionate about many things, I have learned that there are but a few things that last. So, in this new year, I challenge myself to continue to reﬁne my awareness of those things and all that matters most to me. High on my list is the desire to help others at home and in the workplace. A recent sermon at church brought another priority to mind. In the sermon, a 10-year-old child was complaining about his math homework. He could not understand why he needed to learn multiplication and division. A few years later, his engagement in a challenging school project brought him to the realization that he wants to pursue a medical career. Upon discovering his passion, he quickly understood why he needed that math. What a gift we can give by helping others ﬁnd their passion! I hope that the goal to help others is a priority for you and your network as well. From where I sit in the employment industry, I see a critical need that presents a good opportunity for all of us: helping our student population get real-life work experience. It is a fact that students are not getting enough work-study opportunities and we need better partnerships between schools and businesses. Pennsylvania requires all school districts to have a K-12 School Counseling Plan as part of Chapter 339. Resources are deﬁned at: www.education.pa.gov/K-12/PACareerStandards/Resources/Pages/339CounselingPlan.aspx. In a tight labor market with increasing job vacancies, employers face a growing skills gap. Too many young Americans graduate with degrees and skills that don’t match the needs of employers. An effective solution is to provide students with real-life work experience before graduation. Having high school students learn early on about the most sought-after educational disciplines, workplace culture and how their educational experience translates into the real world helps ensure that students graduate with the skills and education employers need. Express Employment Professionals partners with local entities to provide early education and work-study opportunities for high school students to help raise a workforce prepared to ﬁll the shortage of skilled workers. Another Express solution is Job Genius, a free, video-based program created by Express to successfully prepare students to enter the workforce. The program also serves as a tool to connect educators with the needs of businesses. With parent and facilitator guides for teachers, Job Genius explores everything from job market forecasts, post-secondary education requirements and resume creation, to career pathing, interviewing, money management, and the soft skills employers are looking for but do not ﬁnd in a startling 27 percent of applicants. Express’ Pittsburgh West ofﬁce will help high school teachers facilitate this program, which can be customized for the classroom or other groups looking to help students prepare for future work. “Job vacancies continue to outnumber available workers,” said Bill Stoller, Express CEO. “That means we need to continue drawing more people into the workforce, with an especially strong focus on helping those of limited means recognize and seize the opportunities that are out there. Businesses, educators and community leaders need to work together to remove as many barriers to jobs as possible.” It is necessary and right for every level of the community- businesses, schools, churches and volunteer organizations - to provide opportunities for students to experience real-life work and hands-on activity that sets them up to make good life and career decisions. This can be achieved through job shadowing, internships, externships or sharing information about an open job. Also, sharing about our work life helps parents and educators understand the expectations and prepare our future workforce with the skills and education required. I look forward to focusing on my key priority to help as many people as possible in 2019. If I can help you, please reach out to me at deb.gray@expresspros.com.Deb Gray is the owner of Express Pittsburgh West. With ofﬁces in Robinson Township and Monaca, Express Pittsburgh West serves the western region of Allegheny County as well as all of Beaver County. Local businesses and job seekers are encouraged to stop by, visit expresspros.com/wpittsburghpa/ or call (412) 494-2000.A New Year and a new opportunity to help a new generation BY DEB GRAY16 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019February 2019 Milestone AnniversariesUpcoming 2019 Events!BizBlast @ Noon Thursday, February 14th - 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.New Member Orientation Friday, February 15 - 9-10:30 a.m.New Member Mixer Thursday, March 7 - 5:30-7:30 p.m.Welcome New Members!Dol-B Design, LLCHilltop Paving Sealer DivisionMorgan Stanley – Keith ColonnaPersonal Safety AllianceTrans Associates Engineering Consultants, Inc.Plan Your Next Getaway! No membership required!Your dream vacation is a call away from becoming a reality. The PAACC provides a number of opportunities to the general public for discounted, all-inclusive travel. From the treasures of the states to the riveting landscapes abroad, you are limitless in where you can go. And that is why the PAACC is “Connected to the World.”For more information or to reserve your seat for this trip, Please contact Michelle Kreutzer at 412-203-0257 or mkreutzer@paacc.com65 YearsCopeland, R.D. Ltd.45 YearsR.L. Swearer Company, Inc.15 YearsBahama Breeze10 YearsBoisvert Enterprises, LLC5 YearsPrice Industries2019 Annual Celebration of ExcellenceSally Haas Memorial Scholarship Winners Each year, the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce (PAACC) awards scholarships to deserving students in our region in honor of the late Sally Haas, who served as President/CEO of our Chamber for 14 years before her unexpected passing in 2012. This year, the Chamber awarded two scholarships. One is a general scholarship and the other is for a student who is a member of a military family in the Airport area. It is our pleasure to announce the winners of these scholarships. Congratulations, Mackenzie Pifko of Montour School District for having a GPA of 3.0 or greater and for your involvement in the community. Mackenzie we wish you the best as you continue your education with a focus in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.Also, congratulations to Alondra Cosme Acevedo of West Allegheny School District for having a GPA of 3.0 or greater and for your involvement in the community. Alondra’s father served with the 316th Army Expeditionary Sustainment Command. She is the winner of our Sally Haas Memorial Military Scholarship. Alondra, we wish you the best as you continue your education with a focus in Political Science.Thank you to all the students who applied for these scholarships and best of luck on your continued education.Kelly Burgos Creative Services - Studio H MonacaRibbon Cutting Ceremonies850 Beaver Grade Rd. Suite 101 Moon Twp., PA 15108 412-264-6270 | | paacc.comFor more information about our events, please visit paacc.com/events.February/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 17%New in TownNew in Town During Dr. Mark Ferris’ 32-year career as a veterinarian, he helped hundreds of pet owners and their pets with a variety of needs. Many pets he treated throughout their entire lives. As those pets neared the end of their lives, however, part of Dr. Ferris’ job involved helping pet owners make tough decisions. It was a process that he felt demanded the right amount of empathy and compassion, but one that wasn’t always best suited to the veterinarian’s ofﬁce. “It’s just something that we, as veterinarians, have not really ﬁgured out how to get right,” he says. For Dr. Ferris, part of the problem was the veterinarian’s ofﬁce itself. With its cold, steel examination tables and sterile setting, it’s not at all the kind of place where a pet owner wants to say “goodbye” to their beloved companion. In addition to the lack of privacy for the grieving family, there is also the unfortunate aspect in most cases of having to schedule an appointment to accommodate the doctor’s schedule rather than what is best for the client and their pet. For pet owners with aging pets, just transporting their pet to the ofﬁce can also prove to be a struggle and an unbearable anxiety for the pet. Some owners may not even know if their pet is nearing the end of its life or if it’s suffering from a treatable condition. In 2016, after 20 years of ownership, Dr. Ferris sold his practice in Burgettstown (Hilltop Animal Hospital) and transitioned into a different aspect of veterinary medicine. While working part time at Five Points Veterinary Clinic in Hopewell, he began a new service dedicated exclusively to assisting pet owners with end of life decisions in their own homes. Peaceful Goodbyes provides owners the option of saying goodbye to their loved ones at the time and place of their choosing. As a pet’s health and quality of life decline due to age or illness, pet owners often struggle with whether it is even time to say goodbye. Thus, Dr. Ferris will, if requested, visit with the family prior to a scheduled euthanasia to meet the pet, assess the patient, and try to answer the many questions concerning their loved one’s failing health. There is no fee or obligation when a client requests this introductory visit. Though not an emergency service, Dr. Ferris does his best to accommodate the family’s needs. There are no time constraints with a typical house call and owners are given as much time as needed during the process to say their goodbyes. He will typically bring a veterinary technician with him and, after the pet has passed, provide cremation options if requested. When private cremation is preferred, he will personally transport the pet to the crematorium and, a few days later, return the cremains to the family in a beautiful wooden urn with engraved nameplate as well as a clay paw print keepsake. The feedback Dr. Ferris has received from clients has been overwhelmingly positive. An entire section on his website contains moving testimonials. One reads as follows: Area veterinarian now helping pet owners through end-of-life decisions “[Our cat] Fox was telling us it was time, and it was to our immense relief that Dr. Ferris agreed to visit our home to gently and mercifully ease this cherished family member into his last moments. No jostling Fox’s aching body into a carrier for a last, bumpy ride to an unfamiliar and sterile clinic; instead, Fox peacefully - and gratefully, we’re convinced - spent the ﬁnal hours of his life at home, unstressed and surrounded by all that was familiar.” More testimonials can be read at: peacefulgoodbyes.com/testimonial.html. In the spring of 2019, Dr. Ferris says he will begin offering in-home examinations, vaccines and routine bloodwork for pets that are fearful and anxious about car rides and visiting the veterinarian’s ofﬁce. For now, though, he’s applying his expertise, along with his skills of compassion and empathy, to help pet owners through the euthanasia process. Dr. Ferris is currently making house calls throughout western Allegheny County and other parts of the tri-state region, including Washington County, Beaver County, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. For more information, visit peacefulgoodbyes.com or text/call (412) 671-3773. Dr. Ferris can also be reached via email at mferris61@verizon.net. Dr. Mark FerrisSTORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED18 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019 Advanced Dentistry in North Fayette Township recently welcomed a new dentist. Dr. David Mascio, who brings with him 22 years of experience, joined the local practice last July. He has been working with Dr. TJ Ameredes, who owns and operates Advanced Dentistry, to serve the dental needs of the West Allegheny community. Ameredes has been operating Advanced Dentistry in the area since he took over the former practice known as Luther and Noel in 2015. The practice is still located on Oakdale Road just off the Route 22/30 Hankey Farms Exit. Ameredes also operates a second practice in Wheeling, West Virginia. While searching for a new doctor, Ameredes says Mascio’s skill and experience made him the perfect choice. “Dr. Dave Macio’s reputation as a caring, competent and skilled dentist preceded him,” says Ameredes. Mascio graduated from Walsh College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 and then earned his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1996. After three years of working as a dental associate, he purchased his own practice in 2000. He says that when the opportunity arose to join Advanced Dentistry, he jumped at it. “I’d heard of all the wonderful things that Advanced Dentistry was doing,” says Mascio, who is originally from Steubenville, Ohio, “and I also love the area so the decision was simple.” He says that he and his wife, Cheryl, are looking forward to moving to the area soon. For 19 years of the years that Mascio has been practicing he’s worked in general dentistry. As such, he’s treated patients of all ages. At Advanced Dentistry, he’ll likewise be working with Ameredes to offer a comprehensive range of services, from preventative and pediatric care to implants. The practice also offers a number of cosmetic dentistry services to help patients achieve their ideal smile, including teeth whitening and the popular Invisalign teeth straightening system. STORY SUBMITTEDPHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY Additional services offered by Advanced Dentistry include crowns, bridges and dentures. The practice can also help treat sleep apnea and, for those who fear going to the dentist, sedation dentistry. To give patients the best possible treatment, the practice utilizes cutting-edge scanning technology, including digital scanners and a highly accurate cone beam CT. Because preventative care is essential to dental health - particularly for younger patients - Advanced Dentistry’s care plans include cleanings with a dental hygienist. During cleanings, patients regularly undergo a dental prophylaxis cleaning procedure, which thoroughly cleans the teeth and gums, thereby removing harmful bacteria. Ameredes says it was essential to have another doctor in the ofﬁce who was not only skilled but could also communicate well, and thus help determine the best possible treatment plan for each patient. “The treatment planning will be that much better going forward,” says Ameredes. Advanced Dentistry is located at 1050 Oakdale Road. For more about the practice, including its range of services, visit them online at www.advanceddentistry412.com. To make an appointment or get a second opinion, call (412) 788-6300. Dr. David Mascio is pictured with Dr. TJ Ameredes, who owns and operates Advanced Dentistry in North Fayette Township. Mascio, who has been practicing for 22 years, joined the practice last July. February/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 19%New in TownNew in TownAdvanced Dentistry welcomes new dentistNext >